HRW condemns Israel’s ‘unlawful’ attack on Habariyeh rescuers

Human Rights Watch has labeled an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon, which resulted in the deaths of seven first responders, as an “unlawful attack on civilians.” They have called for the United States to halt weapons sales to Israel in response. This incident took place amid the frequent clashes along the Israel-Lebanon border, heightened since a significant attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, igniting conflict in Gaza.

The strike targeted a facility in the southern Lebanese village of Habariyeh, which according to HRW, did not house any military targets but was instead a civilian emergency and relief center operated by the Lebanese Succour Association—a humanitarian NGO. The Israeli military had previously claimed the site was a military compound and that it had eliminated a major terrorist operative from Jamaa Islamiya, a group linked to Hamas, along with other militants.

Contrary to this, HRW found no evidence of a military presence at the location and noted that the Israeli military’s own statements on the strike showed a disregard for verifying military targets, rendering the attack unlawful under international law. HRW’s investigation concluded that the seven individuals killed were civilian volunteers, including 18-year-old twin brothers, who were not connected to any armed groups. Although social media content suggested some affiliation with Jamaa Islamiya among at least two victims, there was no indication they were combatants.

HRW also reported finding fragments of a bomb and a guidance kit produced by Boeing, a U.S. company, at the strike site. Citing this, they have called on the U.S. to suspend military aid and arms sales to Israel, arguing that U.S. weapons were used inappropriately in this and potentially other similar unlawful actions.